Azerbaijan

Description of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, officially called the Republic of Azerbaijan, is the biggest country in the Caucasus area, and it is situated at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is an exquisitely beautiful country. It is surrounded by many distinct areas and countries, with the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to its north, Georgia to its northwest, Armenia to its west and Iran to its south.

Azerbaijan has a rich cultural and historic tradition and heritage, including the uniqueness of being the first country with a Muslim majority to have plays, theater, and operas. Azerbaijan got its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Azerbaijan has a democratic form of government, a unitary constitutional republic. It is a member of the Turkic Council. Azerbaijan is not a hostile country when it comes to international relations. It has formal diplomatic relations with nearly 160 countries, and it holds membership in nearly 40 international organizations. Azerbaijan has been part of the United Nations since 1992, and it is also a member of the Human Rights Council.

The official constitution of the country does not specify any official religion, and all the big political groups in the country are secular nationalist, but most people are Islamic. Azerbaijan has a high level of human development, high economic development, literacy, and a low rate of unemployment. Unfortunately, corruption is rampant in the country, and international ratings lists have seen placed Azerbaijan placed near the top for corruption. The government has been accused of human rights abuses.

Tourism In Azerbaijan

Tourism is a huge part of the economy of the country. The country was a major tourism locale in the ‘80s. However, once the Soviet Union fell, and after the Nagorno-Karabakh War, the image of Azerbaijan has an appealing tourist destination waned considerably.

The tourism industry did start to recover in the 2000s, and the country has seen increases in the number of tourist trips and overnight stays. In more recent years, the country has become popular with tourists that travel there for religious, spa, or health reasons.

The government has made the development of the country as a major tourist destination a big priority. It is the government’s main strategy to make tourism a huge, if not the single biggest, contributor to the economy of the country.

Tourism is an increasing part of the economy. Tourist visas are hard to get and very costly. There are Soviet-style restrictions still in place, like needing to have a certified letter of invitation from a respected entity in the country. This old-fashioned attitude to tourists makes Azerbaijan less able to compete in the tourist market.

Museums

The majority of the museums are located in the major cities of the country, like Lankaran, Sumgait, and Baku. Some of the major museums include the following:

Museum of Geology

Olympia Museum

Museum of Archaelogy and Ethnography

Museum of History of Religion

Museum of Independence of Azerbaijan

National Parks

The climate of Azerbaijan is highly unusual, because nine of the 11 climate zones on earth are found in the country. Azerbaijan has the most biodiversity of any European state, and it has abundant natural resources National Parks are maintained for the purposes of educational and scientific research, as well as environmental protection. There are eight national parks in Azerbaijan. If you’re a nature lover, this is one of the best countries to visit.

Historical Monuments

Walled City of Baku

The city of Baku has several architectural and historical monuments that date back to different historical eras.

The Walled City of Baku is the ancient part of Baku. UNESCO classified the Old City of Baku, as well as the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshas, as a World Heritage Site.

There are more than 50 architectural monuments from different time periods in the Walled City of Baku. There is the Broken Tower, the Maiden Tower, and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs that are still standing to the present day. The Palace of Shirvanshahs is a true gem of Azerbaijani architecture. It was built in the Middle Ages, and it has a historical complex, a palace mosque, bath house, palace, and more. The complex development began in 1441, and Western divankhana part of the complex was finished by Amirshah in 1558.

One of the most unique architectural monuments in Azerbaijan is the Maiden Tower. It’s located in the southwest part of the Walled City of Baku.

Palace of Shaki Khans

The Palace of Shaki Khans was once a summer getaway spot for Shaki Khans. It was developed in the 18th century. It has decorative tiles, stained-glass windows, and fountains. It is a gorgeous palace. It should be on every tourist’s to-do list.

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

One of the most exciting and ancient monuments of Baku is Gobustan, which is world-renowned for its rock carvings. The site was established in 1966 when the area was classified as a national historical landmark in an effort to preserve the carvings, gas-stones, and mud volcanoes in the area.

Gobustan has a number of architectural monuments, and the area has more than 6,000 rock engravings that go back tens of thousands of years. The site also has the remains of burials and settlements, caves, and more - all showing the human use of the area after the last Ice Age, from the Upper Paleolithic period to the Middle Ages. People that study history and science will love this area, because of its rich historical and cultural history. It really shows the effects of an interesting period of human development.

The majority of the rock engravings depict primitive men and women, animals, dances, boats, warriors, caravans, and pictures of the stars. These were important things to the people of the day.

Gobustan was officially classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. It is clearly the most popular reserve, and it is amazing gem of Azerbaijan.

Sights In Azerbaijan

Maiden’s Tower

Maiden’s Tower is an impressive architectural sight. This tapering tower is the most important architectural icon in Baku. It is thousands of years old, and no one really knows when construction began on it. There are plenty of fairytales that incorporate the tower, especially because of the name.

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

This palace complex made out of sandstone was where the ruling dynasty lived during medieval times. The palace is mostly 15th century in style, and it was meticulously and laboriously restored in 2003. You can enter into the palace complex through the main courtyard.

Xan Sarayi

This tiny but tremendously colorful palace is one of the most important sights in Seki. It is one of the most well-known buildings in the South Caucasus region. When it was completed more than 300 years ago, it was used as the administrative building for the khan. It is just one of dozens of royal structures in the compound, but none of the other structures are still standing.

Fountains Square

Fountains Square is very popular with tourists, and this lush, green piazza is one of the main attractions in Central Baku. The square is named after the fountains. One of the fountains is topped with a shiny silvered sphere that casts reflections of the stone facades and trees. The sight is quite beautiful. You don’t want to miss Fountains Square when you’re in Baku.

Bulvar

Bulvar is an area rife with fairground rides, cafes, and fountains. It is a gorgeous seafront park that is extremely popular with couples, smalltime musicians, and families. There are some impressive modernist buildings here.

Martyr’s Lane

Resting high above the southwest corner of the city center there is a sobering row of graves. The graves are for the Bakuvian victims of the 1990 attack by the Red Army. These were the first martyrs of the Karabakh conflict. You can also find a memorial to Turkish soldiers of World War I.

Carpet Museum

This neoclassical building was once a place to honor Lenin. However, it’s been transformed into a major museum center, and the most interesting part of it tells the story of Azeri carpet-making. The collection has more than 1000 beautiful and rare rugs from Azerbaijan, as well as from Dagestan and Iran.

Culture

The culture of the country has developed in line with many different influences. Now, Western influences, including a worldwide globalized capitalist culture, are making a big impact. National and historical traditions are still preserved in Azerbaijan. Some of the main areas of the culture include folk dances and art, music, literature, architecture, and film. The traditional celebration of the New Year in Persian religion of Zoroastrianism is celebrated widely throughout the country.

Education

Nearly all Azerbaijanis have gotten some kind of higher education, most especially in technical and scientific subjects. In that sense, it ranks above the United States. In the Soviet era, literacy rates rose considerably from a potable starting point. The literary rate in Azerbaijan is is now 99.5%.

In addition to the elementary schools in the country, there are thousands of preschools, vocational schools, and specialty technical schools. Public education through the eighth grade is compulsory.

Cuisine

The country’s traditional cuisine includes lots of different greens and vegetables used when they’re in season in the main dishes and entrees. Fresh herbs are extremely popular, and they often accompany the main meals on the table. The geographic and climatic diversity are reflected in the most popular meals, which include fish from the Caspian Sea, local meat from farmers and ranchers, and a number of seasonal greens and vegetables. Saffron-rice plov is one of the most popular dishes, and black tea is the beverage of choice in the country. Black tea is so popular that it’s classified as the nations leverage. There is an extremely strong tea culture in the country. Bozbash, qutab, and dushbara are some of the most popular dishes.

Bozbash

Bozbash is lamb soup, and there are a number of regional varieties that incorporate different vegetables.

Qutab

Qutab is a fried turnover dish. It is extremely delicious, with a filling of minced meat and greens.

Dushbara

Dushbara are dumplings filled with flavorings and ground meat.

Visit Azerbaijan On Your Next Trip To Europe

Azerbaijan is neither in Europe or Asia, and it is a motley mix of contrasts and contradictions. You will find remnants of many historical empires. However, it’s also a modern nation trying to find itself after years of Soviet oppression. The country is rich in petroleum, and it is always looking for ways to increase tourism to the country. Why don’t you become one of the people that sees the wonders of Azerbaijan? Add yourself to the roster of tourists streaming into the country each year? The country is bounded by semi-desert on the Caspian Sea (rich with oil), and the country’s urbanized capital Baku is a bustling boomtown, where luxury cars and skyscrapers are seen alongside UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The best of old and new is in Azerbaijan. You will get a chance to experience nine of the earth’s 11 climate zones, and the cuisine is absolutely delicious. The country is relatively safe, and the people are highly educated and literate. Just three hours away there is a whole different world: quaint villages in the midst of verdant orchards from which shepherds herd their sheep deep into the Caucasus mountains. Much of the excellent food is thanks to the people of these villages, e.g., sheep, lamb, and vegetables.

Azerbaijan has so much to offer. You’re going to get the most bang for your buck visiting this country (if you just have one choice). You will see a mix of climates, a mix of old and new, a mix of delicious foods and beverages, and you will get a chance to meet the famously courteous and hospitable people of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is neither Europe or Asia, and it has a little something for everyone. Since tourism is such a major focus of the government, it has become much easier. Most people have never heard of Azerbaijan. When you come back from your trip, you can inform your friends how enriching the area was.

Some facts about Azerbaijan

Population of country

8,303,512 people

Area of Azerbaijan

86,600 sq. kilometers

Located on the continent

Middle East (AS)

Capital of Azerbaijan

Baku

Currency at Azerbaijan

Manat (AZN)

Domain Zone

.az

Phone country code

994

FIPS code of Azerbaijan

AJ

Gallery of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

#01 photo

Azerbaijan

#02 photo

Azerbaijan

#03 photo

Azerbaijan

#04 photo

Azerbaijan

#05 photo

Azerbaijan

#06 photo

Azerbaijan

#07 photo

Azerbaijan

#08 photo

Azerbaijan video guide

More information about Azerbaijan

Climate of Azerbaijan:

dry, semiarid steppe

Terrain of Azerbaijan:

large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west